THIS was not the greatest Scottish Cup final match involving Celtic by any means. But the fact it was the first time the Parkhead club had lifted the famous old trophy since 1937 made it one of the most important.

A staggering crowd of 131,943 crammed into the world-famous Mount Florida venue to see if Jimmy McGrory's side could end their 14-year drought in the national knockout cup competition.

A fine goal by captain John McPhail in the 12th minute proved to be enough to secure a narrow 1-0 triumph for the Hoops and send their fans into dreamland.

It was the 16th time they had prevailed in the tournament.

34.

Game: Celtic v Spartak Moscow.

Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2007.

Competition: Champions League play-off.

Venue: Celtic Park.

Attendance: 65,000.

Result: Celtic 1 Spartak Moscow 1.

TOMMY BURNS enjoyed many fine moments at Parkhead both as a player and a manager. But one image of the Celtic legend sticks out in the memory of many supporters more than any other.

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That is of the fan who got lucky - which is how he described himself - leaping on the Hoops players after their thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Spartak Moscow.

A first-half goal from Scott McDonald gave Gordon Strachan's side, who had drawn 1-1 in Russia, the advantage. But Martin Stranzl levelled and the game went to extra-time.

After neither side netted it went to spot-kicks. Iconic goalkeeper Artur Boruc was the hero for his side with saves from Egor Titov and Maxim Kalinichenko as Burns danced in delight.

33.

Game: Ajax v Celtic.

Date: Wednesday, August 8, 2001.

Competition: Champions League play-off.

Venue: Amsterdam Arena.

Attendance: 52,342.

Result: Ajax 1 Celtic 3.

CELTIC gave a taste of what was to come from them in Europe under Martin O'Neill with this stunning victory over Ajax in a Champions League qualifier in Amsterdam.

The Hoops blew their illustrious opponents away in the first half with goals from Bobby Petta and Didier Agathe.

Shota Arveladze, who would move to Rangers, pulled one back for the home team before half-time.

But Chris Sutton netted in the second half to complete a fine away win and effectively put Celtic in the Champions League group stage for the first time.

32.

GAME: Celtic v Cologne.

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 1992.

Competition: Uefa Cup.

Venue: Celtic Park.

Attendance: 30,747.

Result: Celtic 3 Cologne 0.

CELTIC were given little chance of progressing to the second round of the Uefa Cup after losing the first leg 2-0 to Cologne in Germany.

And the early signs were not encouraging for the Parkhead club. The visitors sat back and hit their hosts on the counter attack.

Yet, Paul McStay volleyed home from the edge of the penalty box in the 36th minute and Gerry Creaney levelled the tie shortly afterwards following some good work by John Collins.

Collins himself completed one of the Glasgow giants' greatest ever European comebacks when he slotted home a low drive with 10 minutes remaining.

Cologne manager Jorg Berger said: "Celtic won because they fought to the end. They showed us what fighting is all about."

31.

Game: Celtic v Partizan Belgrade.

Date: Wednesday, September 27, 1989.

Competition: European Cup-Winners' Cup.

Venue: Celtic Park.

Attendance: 49,298.

Result: Celtic 5 Partizan Belgrade 4.

DARIUSZ "Jacki" Dziekanowski wrote his name in the Celtic history books when he became their first player to score four goals in a single European match. No other Hoops star has matched the feat before or since.

However, the Pole's goals were not enough to secure his side's safe passage into the second round of the European Cup-Winners' Cup. Their rivals progressed on away goals after netting four times in Glasgow.

Billy McNeill's side had been just two minutes away from going through. They were leading 5-3 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate when they gave away the ball. Predrag Spasic crossed and Sladan Scepovic headed home.

Still, Dziekanowski will never, despite the shortness of his stay in Glasgow, be forgotten by Celtic supporters as a result of his heroics on this astonishing night.

YOUR SHOUT...

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